Confining garment



Oct. 29, 1968 l. c. GIBERSON 3,407,807

CONFINING GARMENT Filed May 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l v Oct. 29, 1968 l. c. GIBERSON CONFINING GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1966 United States Patent Office 3,407,807 Patented Get. 29, 1968 3,407,807 CONFINING GARMENT Iva C. Giberson, P.0. Box 110, Presque Isle, Maine 04769 Filed May 3, 1966, Ser. No. 547,242 9 Claims. (Cl. 128-434) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A confining garment in the form of a jacket includes fastening means for fastening the jacket on a user. A reinforcing strip is secured longitudinally across the center of the back portion of the' jacket with a flexible loop attached to the strip. A pair of straps are attached to the loop for securement near the head of the bed and the foot of the bed respectively.

This invention relates to a confining or protection garment (not to be confused with a restraint or straight jacket) for preventing the user from falling out of a bed.

There is a growing need for some type of device which will keep a person in .bed while maximizing the comfort and maneuverability of the user. Such devices are needed for geriatrics, fever-ridden or non-violent mentally afflicted patients, children and even restless sleepers who might roll out of bed. An effective device would substantially reduce the amount of supervision required for these users.

Various approaches have been attempted to provide such a device. For example bars, rails, screens, and other obstacles have been secured to the sides of the bed. This line of approach has the advantage of allowing a high degree of freedom of movement and comfort to the patient. However along'with this increased freedom of movement is the increased likelihood'that the patient may crawl over the rails. These devices have the additional psychological disadvantage of creating a jail'like atmosphere for the patient. Y

A second approachhas been to form the device as a garment or strap which is worn by the patient and secured to the bed. Some examples of these devices are described in US. Patents Nos, 2,940,443; 2,423,392; 1,639,424; and 879,164. Garment type .devices are generally disadvantageous in that they are uncomfortable and are too confining. In this respect, these garments usually incorporate metal rings, metal loops, hard leather belts, or hooked metal snaps. These rigid metal-like objects are not only uncomforable but also may damage the bed and sheets or may injure the attendant. These prior devices generally includes so many straps and tapes that the patient frequently becomes entangled in them. Additionally in order to permit the patient to turn, many of these devices include complicated pulley arrangements. Moreover, these devices are unsatisfactory in case of an emergency since they frequently require padlocks and keys for their release.

An object of this invention is to provide an effective confining garment which meets the requirements of comfort and freedom of movement.

A further object is to provide such a garment which is simple in construction so as to be low in cost without impairing its effectiveness.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent toone skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 2-3 are back and side views, respectively, of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the garment shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the fastener partially exposed;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a modified form of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the invention. during use; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through FIG. 2 along the line 88.

As shown in the drawings the confining garment comprises a jacket 10 having a front portion 12 and a hack portion 14. Portions 12 and 14 are sewn. together on one side and are joined together at their top by shoulder portions 16, 18 to form a pair of arm holes 20. and neck hole 22. Portions .12 and 14 are joined together on their other side by slide fastener or zipper 24 (FIG. 5). A flexible loop 26 is provided on back portion 14 over reinforcing strip 28, and a pair of elongated anchor straps 30, 32 are secured to loop 26. As shown in FIG. 7, the ends of strap 30 are secured near the head of the bed, while the ends of the strap 32 are secured near the foot of the bed.

An advantageous method of forming jacket 10 is as follows. Using a straight stitch, shouider portions 16 and 18 of the front and back portions 12, 14 are stitched together with a slight overlap forming a'fiat seam which in turn is stitched to the shoulder portions by a zigzag stitch. Reinforcing strip 28 is then stitched longitudinally across back portion 14. Loop 26 is stitched to back portion 14 directly over strip 28 by being stitched at one end at a point 34 approximately between arm holes 20, 20 and at its lower end to intermediate portion 36, leaving the major portion of loop 26 free. As shown in FIG. 8

loop 26 is advantageously made of double-ply fabric by having a pair of strips 25, 27 sewn together at their sides. The joined strips are then turned inside out so that the seams 38 are internal. Reinforcing strip 28, as well as the other straps may also be made in this manner. The double-ply fabric adds extra strength as well as extra comfort.

Anchor straps 30, 32 are sewn to loop 26 as indicated at 40, 42. The various edges such as arm holes 20, 20 neck hole 22 and bottom edge 44 are bound by a soft fabric binding such as outing flannel, to add to patient comfort and minimize chafing.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5 a cushioning strip 46 is secured to the inside of jacket 10 under zipper 24 which has its tab 48 at the bottom of jacket 10. Protective covering strip 50 is provided on the outside of jacket 10 over zipper 24 and has a free end 52 extending beyond the zipper as shown in FIG. 5. As indicated in FIG. 4 end 52 includes grippers 54 which engage tabs on cushioning strip 46 to effectively conceal zipper tab 48. Since the zipper is disposed at the side of jacket 10 and grippers 54 are on the under side of the garment, it is quite diflicult for the patient to unfasten jacket 10. This location however does not interfere with the convenience of the attendant removing the garment.

FIG. 6 shows a modification which includes a crotch portion 56 removably spanning front and back portions 12, 14 by, for example, grippers (not shown).

During use anchor straps 30, 32 may be attached to the bed frame by simply tying the free ends thereto. In an advantageous form of this invention, however, quickrelease micro-buckles 58 are provided on each free end of straps 30, 32 and attached to the bed frame out of the reach of the patient. Buckles 5-8 are of the conventional type which merely require a flip of the fingers to release the patient. This is not only more convenient, but is almost mandatory in'case of emergency. Thus 3 when time is of the essence the patient may be quickly and safetly released Without cutting or damaging the garment.

When anchor straps 30, 32 are correctly positioned with strap 30 pulling toward the head of the bed and strap 32 pulling toward the foot, it is impossible for the patient to undo the straps. Yet the patient may sit up, lie down, turn, move laterally across the bed, and vertically up and down the bed to the extent necessary for safety and comfort.

An effective fabric for the garment is a cotton stretch material. However, either heavier or lighter weight cotton, or synthetic fabric may be used. The binding and zipper coverings are also made of a soft fabric, such as a soft cotton flannel, to avoid patient discomfort and prevent chafing. Additionally flat seams are used to avoid irritation to the skin. Zigzag stitching, such as in the binding, increases the strength of the stitching thus allowing the garment to withstand considerable strain without breakage to the stitching.

Jacket 10 is so designed that it can be produced to fit individuals of any age and size and of either sex. Additionally its inexpensive simplicity of design makes it quite adaptable for widespread use in institutions, as well as in the home. Moreover the simplicity of design does not impair its effectiveness. For example, the garment permits the patient to sit up or turn from side to side without restriction, but within the limits of the bed itself. Advantageously, however, the patient is prevented from crawling to either end of the bed. This freedom of movement to the extent necessary for comfort and safety, is possible without impairing the circulation or causing undue exertion on the patient. The armpit design insures the patients inability to wriggle out, while the neckline eliminates the possibility of stangulation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that Within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A confining garment confining a user in a bed comprising a jacket having front and back portions, fastening means on said jacket for fastening said jacket on a user, a reinforcing strip secured longitudinally across the center of said back portion, an elongated flexible loop secured to said strip, a first elongated strap attached to said loop, said first strap having a pair of free ends for securement near the head of the bed, a second elongated strap attached to said loop, and said second strap having 4 a pair of free ends for securement near the foot of the bed.

2. A garment as set forth; in claim 1 wherein a crotch portion is secured to said jacket spanning said front and back portions.

3. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein a quickrelease micro buckle is secured to each of said free ends of said first and second straps.

4. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fastening means includes a slide fastener joining said back and front portions, an internal cushioning strip being secured to jacket under said fastener, an exposed cushioning strip being secured to said jacket over said fastener, said exposed strip extending beyond said fastener, and means on said internal strip and said exposed strip for attaching said strips together to conceal said fastener.

5. A garment as set forth in claim 4 wherein said front and back portions include shoulder portions secured together to form arm holes and a neck hole, and cushioning strips lining said neck and arm holes.

6. A garment as set forth in claim 5 wherein a crotch portion is secured to said jacket spanning said front and back portions, a quick-release micro buckle being secured to each end of said first and second straps, said loop being a longitudinal piece of double-ply soft fabric having an internal seam and attached to said reinforcing strip at point intermediate said arm holes and at an intermediate portion above said crotch with the central portion of said fabric being free to form said loop, and said jacket, strips and straps also being of a soft fabric.

7. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jacket has a neck hole and arm holes, and said loop being a piece of soft fabric attached to said reinforcing strip at a point intermediate said arm holes and at an intermediate portion of said strip with the central portion of said fabric being free to form said loop.

8. A garment as set forth in claim 7 wherein said loop is double-ply fabric having an internal seam.

9. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loop is a double-ply fabric having an internal seam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,536,363 2/1951 Godbout 128-134 2,553,007 5/1951 Rosenthal 128-l34 2,827,898 3/1958 Thompson 128134 3,136,311 6/1964 Lewis 128--134 3,236,234 2/1966 Buckley 128-134 3,323,150 6/1967 Rehder 5336 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

